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Dragon Naturally Speaking is the bestselling software that offers speech recognition technology.  With the software, you can use a headset to dictate and have your words turned into emails, instant messages, word processing documents, and give your desktop commands to follow.  It’s quite popular in the pirating circles due to its quality and price tag (ranging from $99 for a standard edition and $899 for a professional edition).  You can try these lower cost and free alternatives if you want to stay legal.

Free trial offer through E-Speaking

E-Speaking is a speech recognition program with more than 100 desktop commands already built in.  You can use the software for free during a 30 day trial period and then must pay a small $14 licensing fee at the end of that period to continue usage.  To use E-Speaking, you will simply speak commands, such as “Open email.”  Dictation support is also included with the free trial download of E-Speaking.  [E-Speaking]

Built in Vista Speech Recognition

Windows Speech Recognition is a feature included in the Windows Vista operating system.  You can use a headset microphone or desktop microphone as a way to use the application.  During setup, you will train Windows Speech Recognition to recognize your voice. You will then be able to perform many of the same functions as Dragon Naturally Speaking, such as dictate emails, control your OS, and create word documents.  [Microsoft]

Extras included with IBM’s ViaVoice

If you don’t happen to have Windows Vista installed, you can purchase ViaVoice instead.  There are Mac versions of this software available along with availability for Windows 98 or higher.  It has many of the same features of free speech recognition apps, but also includes voice navigation through IE, background noise elimination abilities, and an included microphone.  [ViaVoice]